My PC .45 CQB Collection

[wlp624]

I'm getting on in years and my health is a problem so I think its probably time to think about selling my collection. But before I do that I wanted to show off a small group of interesting guns - the Performance Center .45 CQB's

Fantastic research by forum member 'skjos' along with major contributions by 'vigil617', 'CALREB', 18DAI and several others, indicates that there were four Product Codes (170105, 170106, 170118 and 170127, which is actually a subset of the 170105 group, as shown in pictures #3 and #4. Pictures #1 and #2 below show all four of my guns at one time, left side then right. After that are individual pictures of each gun with its original labeled box (except for the first one - the 4563 170118, which is in a PC aluminum case with no label).

The last gun is essentially a prototype for the CQB and was produced in a very limited run of twenty, by special order, before the CQB's existed. Note the PCZ serial number prefix, used by the Performance Center for such guns. The last picture is from a post here on the forum giving some background on that gun, which does not carry the C.Q.B. designation and has no 'Billboard' marking on the slide.

These guns were produced in very limited numbers but represent some of the finest and most important work of the Performance Center.

I think (hope) I got all this right, but its somewhat confusing. If there are any glaring errors feel free to say so.

Clockwise from the top left: Two-Tone 4563 CQB (170118) / All Black 4563 CQB (170106) / All Stainless 4566 CQB (170105) / (CQB) Prototype Two-tone 4566 (170105)


Clockwise from the top left: Two-Tone 4563 CQB (170118) / All Black 4563 CQB (170106) / All Stainless 4566 CQB (170105) / CQB Prototype Two-tone 4566 (170105)


Forum post detailing the three CQB designated guns. Remember that the 'prototype' was not a CQB


Forum post listing 3rd gen Performance Center semi-autos, with the CQB's highlighted toward the bottom.


Two-Tone 4563 CQB (170118) Serial CQC0008 (1 of 211)


All Black 4563 CQB (170106) Serial CQB0015 (1 of 108)


All Stainless 4566 CQB (170105) Serial CQB0154 (1 of 91)


(CQB) Prototype Two-tone 4566 (170105) Serial PCZ0198 (1 of 20)


Another forum post explaining the prototype gun, which does not carry the C.Q.B. designation and has no 'Billboard' marking on the slide.

 

[4T5GUY]

I appreciate you sharing your .45 CQB collection. Excellent representation. Amazing.

If you still enjoy being around these, and the others you have just hold on to them. There is therapeutic health in being around things that make you happy. Even if it’s just seeing something, (sounds “creepy” I know.) It’s easy for me to say this and I don’t know the whole story but that’s my perspective.

I’m lucky enough to have just one of those fantastic .45’s. It took a very long time for me to get it since first seeing them in that American Handgunner magazine so long ago. When I eventually had the funds the one I wanted was nonexistent or way over priced. It took a very long time to find it in the condition expected for a reasonable price.

Jim

 

[Rock185]

You have a nice collection of very high quality pistols. The CQB's exhibit fit and finish comparable to the SIG P210 pistols I've owned. I had the all stainless, and the all black CQB with alloy frame. I carried the lighter alloy framed gun for a few years in LE. Never a malfunction of any kind. Very confidence inspiring pistols.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Great guns; had one back in the 90s but couldn't handle the "CQB" billboard.
Still have a couple PC guns but all 9mm.

Have had a number of Smith .45s but only have the best of the breed left a 4566.

 

[M29since14]

Those are really nice. I agree with the idea of visual therapy. I would have a VERY hard time letting go of those. I've wanted one of the black ones for a long time, but for various (age-related) reasons I no longer feel inclined to pursue one, much like the 6-1/2" Model 27 I always wanted and never obtained. Just give it some more careful thought before you let go of your beautiful .45s. Thanks for the pics. I saved one of them.

 

[joedegs]

Hey Bill, great collection and thread. I never knew that there were four variants of the CQBs. I had seen a few over the years but never chased them.

One thing. The PCZ is not the prototype prefix, XPX was. "The PCZ prefix was used as a generic prefix for anything that needed a serial number but was not associated with any special order. The CQB were first samples, prototypes were not needed because design was in place with the 4506. The CQB came about after PC figured out how to drill the work holes in the correct location in the aluminum extrusion so PC size frame rails could be created. A run of 20 was made to prove out the theory and as a new product sample to shop to the distributors."

As for the therapy, it is good and I'm sure we all would love to see more of your collection in a similar type of thread.

Joe

 

[18DAI]

Beautiful collection of 45 CQBs! Thanks for sharing the excellent photos of them with us.

I am green with envy at the PCZ LAPD 4566.

I will have to comfort myself with my one of one PCZ 45 CQB used in the American Handgunner article on same, shown below.

I also have a stainless 45 CQB that was modified by Vito at the Performance Center (before it went out of business and he retired) with a spurless hammer and Novak night sights.

IIRC there were also a handful of two tone all stainless 45 CQBs made. I think member Palmetto Sharpshooter had one, at one time. Fine pistols all. Regards 18DAI

 

[hammy5150]

With how popular front slide serrations are in the 'tactical' world now I wonder why they weren't on the TSW guns. Seems S&W had enough foresight to put them on some of the PC guns.

 

[wlp624]

One thing. The PCZ is not the prototype prefix, XPX was. "The PCZ prefix was used as a generic prefix for anything that needed a serial number but was not associated with any special order. The CQB were first samples, prototypes were not needed because design was in place with the 4506. The CQB came about after PC figured out how to drill the work holes in the correct location in the aluminum extrusion so PC size frame rails could be created. A run of 20 was made to prove out the theory and as a new product sample to shop to the distributors."
Joe

Good stuff, thanks!

 

[wlp624]

Beautiful collection of 45 CQBs!
I will have to comfort myself with my one of one PCZ 45 CQB used in the American Handgunner article on same, shown below.

I also have a stainless 45 CQB that was modified by Vito at the Performance Center (before it went out of business and he retired) with a spurless hammer and Novak night sights.

Regards 18DAI

Not one, but two unicorns there. Mine may be 1 of 20 but having one on the cover of American Handgunner magazine makes it 1 of 1 in my book!

Your Vito modded CQB is another very special critter. I have a 5” 4006 Limited that has had a 6” slide and barrel hand fitted, so that they both function flawlessly, by Paul Liebenberg after he left the Performance Center and started Pistol Dynamics.

 

[Sevens]

I soooooo want to own that one. ^^ Exactly that one.

 

[4T5GUY]

I will have to comfort myself with my one of one PCZ 45 CQB used in the American Handgunner article on same, shown below

Yes indeed. Sorry for posting this picture of your PCZ so many times but I can’t stop.

Like I honestly keep saying, that particular issue of American Handgunner made a very big impression on me. (I still have it.) I didn’t go right to the centerfold and actually read the articles but you gotta admit the centerfold is SWEET.

Jim

 

[18DAI]

A 4006 Limited with a 6 inch slide? :O Now I am REALLY GREEN WITH ENVY!

I tracked down Mr Liebenberg at his shop, several years ago. I neded to know what recoil spring I needed for my stainless 45 CQB (evidently nobody at s&w could tell me. In fact, not one CS rep I spoke to had ever heard of a 45 CQB. Sad.) And he wasn't surprised that nobody there knew the answer.

Very interesting and informative gentleman. Talented too! He told me they used a 4006 recoil spring. Among many other interesting tidbits about 3rd Gens in general and the Performance Center guns in particular. I wish I'd took notes! Regards 18DAI

 

[wlp624]

A 4006 Limited with a 6 inch slide? :O Now I am REALLY GREEN WITH ENVY!

I’ll do a separate post on that one soon.

 

[S&W Fan]

wlp624, thank you very much for your post. I always wished Smith would've made a 4563 as a regular production model-it was screaming for an aluminum frame alternative to the 4566 in my opinion. The PC versions were and will forever be out of my affordable range lol.

Good luck to you and I'm sure your pistols will find very good homes.

 

[Erocksmash]

The all stainless, and all black guns are absolutely beautiful!

 

[jfd]

Nice collection!

 

[CALREB]

I always wonder about the front serrations on the slides of these guns. While I can understand them on a 1911 or similar cocked S/A only type pistol, on a pistol like these you better be King Kong if you are going to chamber check these type with the hammer down. At least with a 1911 you can adjust your hand off the grip safety while doing the check. Personally I dont want my hand that close to the muzzle especially on a 4" gun not a lot of room forward of the trigger guard. I know the later guns have a hole in the barrel hood, or you can look in by the extractor during the day. I always order any 1911 or other without them if I can. I like the look better.
About the PCV prefix I know several of my older PC guns have the same 9s,40s,and 45. I know when I originally contacted Tom Kelly and also Jim Rae about a service gun size minimum 4" 45 from the P/C they did not have one in their line up. Other guys in the firearms unit were impressed with the PC 5906s that some of us from the pistol team had. But this was post North Hollywood shootout so .45 was all the rage. Tom said as long as we ordered 20 or more they could do whatever we wanted. They already had the 3.5 Shorty model and the 845 so it wasnt like it was a whole different stretch to make a 4". We just specified no extra marking and it had to have a model number 4566. Looking back it should have been ordered as a 5" like one guy did later, I would have liked it better then..

 

[Erocksmash]

So the PCZ guns were a R&D run for LAPD?

 

[cherrypointmarine]

There's some of us here that are hardcore .45 guys , and some carry it farther to the PC pistols . Posting these pictures is like showing a person dying of thirst a picture of a glass of water .

But thanks , there's something about PC pistols , not the new one's , that just makes you want one . And then after you shoot one , well let's say your bank account is going to take a BIG hit .